Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 318

The garden, which had been buzzing with talk about whether she was an angel incarnate or not, suddenly fell silent. Even the pianist, who had been playing, forgot to touch the keys, captivated by her beauty.

Philia, holding the hem of her dress shyly, tilted her head.

“…Why is everyone like this?”

She knew she was beautiful, but the sacredness of the white dress and veil was a new experience. Philia, feeling a bit awkward, fidgeted with the lace and looked around.

The first to break the silence was Beric. With his mouth full of meat, he raised his hand high and clapped.

Clap, clap, clap!

“Wow, that’s awesome. She’s really pretty!”

“Hey, even if you’re expressing yourself, that’s a bit much!”

“Is ‘awesome’ not okay? Okay, okay, I’m going to faint.”

The warriors also approached Philia, showering her with candid praise and admiration.

“…Where’s Nersarn? I suddenly feel like punching him. If I win, it’s okay, right?”

“Do you want to die on a good day? Hold it in.”

“Lady Philia, the dress suits you so well. It’s like a desert galaxy flowing in a clear sky.”

“Shut up, that’s what Nersarn should be saying.”

“Congratulations, Lady Philia. You look absolutely stunning.”

Their greetings were rough but sincere. Philia smiled shyly and brushed her hair back, then noticed Ian. Ian smiled brightly and nodded.

“Yes. Indeed. You are truly beautiful, and it’s wonderful to see. Today, Mother, you are the star of the world.”

Tears welled up in the woman’s smiling face. As Philia reached out to hug him, Ian readily opened his arms.

A tight embrace between mother and son. Philia recalled the times when she could hold Ian in one arm, and she continuously stroked the back of her son’s head.

Frankly, her life had not been complete. In the days when she was not even allowed to breathe in the darkness where she could not see an inch ahead, such a happy day had come.

“Mother.”

“Yes?”

As Philia’s eyes welled up with tears, Ian carefully wiped them away. He was not her biological son. Therefore, it was difficult to expect perfect communication no matter what he said.

But today, he had words to give to the star of the world wearing a pure white wedding dress. These were the words that Ian, the illegitimate son, would have wanted to say if he were in this place.

“Thank you for taking me in, in a world where it’s hard to live alone. Now, please seek only your own happiness.”

In the end, Philia shed tears. He had expected her to just nod, but Philia put her arms around Ian’s neck and drew close. The mother whispered to her son.

“You know, Nersarn told me that some tribes carry very, very heavy stones every time they cross a raging river. So they won’t be swept away by the current.”

It was painful to be weighed down, but it was clear that they would be swept away by the river if they did not. Philia hugged her son even tighter, expressing her gratitude.

“Ian, if it weren’t for you, I would have been swept away and died in the waves of the world. Thank you.”

The eyes of that young one, who looked at her as if she were his whole world. That was the weight Philia had to bear. Her lovely stone, which allowed her to move forward without wavering, even when fierce waves crashed from all sides, trying to kill her.

“……”

Ian felt a lump in his chest. He felt what it meant for a mother’s love to flow from her heart, beyond the physical.

Vivianna handed over a handkerchief and separated the two. If they were left like this any longer, it seemed like they would be in a sea of tears. Her husband, Romandro, was already sniffling.

“Now, my dear, stop crying. It’s such a good day today.”

“I’m sorry. What if my makeup gets ruined?”

“Even that is a trace of happiness, so it’s okay. However, it would be a bit difficult if the ceremony doesn’t proceed.”

As Vivianna playfully touched her forehead, Philia burst into laughter.

At that moment, Nersarn, dressed in Cheonryeo [traditional ceremonial attire] attire, appeared. His hair was neatly combed back, and he wore a red cloth over one shoulder. As soon as he saw his lover, he froze as if his mind had stopped.

“Oh, Nersarn?”

“Did you lose your mind? You can’t do that. There are tons of guys here who want to punch you in the ribs right now.”

Beric sat next to the pianist, constantly bobbing his head, and the warriors seemed busy teasing Nersarn.

Ian walked towards him with Philia. Nersarn reached out his hand as if in a trance. Ian handed his mother’s hand to him.

“Please take care of my mother.”

“…Of course. I will love Philia more passionately than the sun in the middle of the desert.”

“Wow, Nersarn is out of his mind. He didn’t even blink.”

“Oh my, really! Save those words for the ceremony!”

“Hahaha! I mean, if he’s like that now, what will he say when he makes his vows! Nersarn is definitely nervous.”

It was the kind of thing he would say when giving a ring, but Nersarn, nervous, blurted it out in front of Ian. It was a rare mistake for Nersarn, so everyone burst into laughter.

“Okay, let’s start the ceremony then. Everyone seems hungry.”

“I’m hungry! Meat! Meat!”

“Beric, you rascal! Stop bothering the pianist.”

Buzz. Buzz.

Ian lightly flicked his fingertips, creating a shower of flower petals. It was something that had been falling endlessly in the streets until recently, but now it was a wizard’s blessing only allowed in a small garden. Passing the grand festival, it was a place just for them. Ian returned to his chair and nodded to Hale.

“Thank you for being here.”

“You’re being too formal. More than anything, your body hasn’t fully recovered yet, so if you collapse again, it will be difficult for me.”

Hale lightly loosened his tie, adding power to Ian’s magic. The power that gently brightened the already sparkling surroundings even more. Then, exclamations were heard from outside.

“Wow, it’s a flower shower! It’s only falling inside. He’s really a wizard.”

“I told you, didn’t I? Why don’t you believe me?”

“No, it’s just that he’s too much of a wizard-”

Swoosh.

Hearing that, Romandro looked at the wall with a wine glass in his hand. Round heads could be seen through the gaps. Philia smiled and whispered.

“They’re neighborhood kids, and they sometimes come to peek because of strange rumors. They’re just curious, they’re very kind and cute children.”

“Are you close with Philia?”

“I’d like to believe so, but I don’t know about the kids. They run away even if I give them snacks sometimes.”

“Really? Oh, you rascals.”

Romandro playfully walked towards the wall and unlatched the gate. The fence door swung open, and the children who had been clinging to it were startled and stepped back.

“What are you all doing here?”

“Aaaah! You, you scared us!”

“If you’re guests, come inside, and if you’re troublemakers, get lost. The engagement ceremony of the most beautiful person in the world is about to begin.”

As Romandro tilted his head with a mischievous expression, the children looked at each other hesitantly. Could they go in? What if the wizard cast a spell? More than that, who were those strange foreigners?

As Romandro gestured as if he would close the door, one child put his foot forward.

“C-can we really go in?”

“Yes. If you can be quiet and dignified in your congratulations.”

“W-we don’t have a gift.”

“It’s okay. I came without one too.”

Oh, you cute things. Romandro tried to calm his rising smile and crossed his arms. Then the kids hesitantly stepped inside. Slowly, with caution and curiosity.

“W-well, then we won’t refuse.”

“Ahem. Come on, hurry up.”

At that moment, Romandro noticed a child turning away and walking off. Creak, creak, he was panicking, moving the same hand and leg forward.

Although his face was covered by a mask, his silver hair sticking out and his familiar figure were unmistakable.

‘It’s Prince Jin?’

And more than anything, the man with him was Siao Shi, even if you looked at him upside down.

Oh my, what are they doing here with such a noble person? Romandro was about to call Jin, but he remembered what Ian had said.

‘It is not good for either of us if I am by Prince Jin’s side. My wish is to create another pillar, so that His Highness will not waver, and an ideal Bariel can be built. So, please be aware of this, Romandro. We can no longer be the same as before.’

It was easy to flow into power, but it was very difficult to escape it. His little superior had chosen to do that difficult thing and was carrying it out. Romandro also had a duty to assist him accordingly.

But……

“Hey, you there. Kid.”

But, still, a little, just once.

Romandro, perplexed, twisted his beard and called out to Jin. The child, who had been awkwardly trying to escape, stopped and grabbed Siao Shi’s arm.

“Aren’t you coming in?”

“Ah, that…”

“Your friends all went in, are you going back?”

“C-can I go in too? No, can I?”

“…If you want to.”

Romandro gestured for him to come quickly. Jin looked up at Siao Shi, who nodded in agreement.

Jin slowly walked into Romandro’s mansion. The neighborhood kids who had gone ahead were chattering around Philia.

“Actually, the snacks you gave us then were so delicious.”

“Really? I’m glad. I’ll give you more next time you come to play.”

“But is that older brother your younger brother? He’s so handsome.”

“No, he’s the aunt’s son. Ian, the kid says you’re handsome.”

“Ugh! Why are you saying that?!”

He was almost the only outside guest, except for Hale. Everyone focused their attention on the children’s lively commotion.

As the sound of the fence door closing was heard, Ian turned around. A child was standing there, holding Romandro’s hand tightly.

“It seems like the last guest.”

“…Ah.”

Jin stood stiffly, looking straight ahead. Although his expression was not visible, he clearly seemed nervous. Philia covered her mouth in surprise, and Ian also slowly tilted his head.

‘Prince Jin.’

‘Isn’t that the Crown Prince?’

Everyone recognized Jin at a glance. Even the Cheonryeo people, who had only seen him a few times.

The child awkwardly raised his hand and greeted them.

“H-hello. Congratulations. Philia…”

The child’s neck turned as red as a beet. It was definitely Jin, but it seemed like he wanted to hide his identity, so they couldn’t greet him rashly.

Everyone was watching Ian, trying to figure out how to act. Ian, with his chin resting on his hand, stared at the child, then pretended not to know him and patted the seat next to him.

Tap, tap.

“Mother. There are many young guests.”

“Yes. That’s right, I guess.”

“Child, come over here. Thank you for coming.”

As Ian’s permission was given, Jin approached Philia step by step. The two naturally embraced each other. The child repeatedly congratulated Philia in a tearful voice.

“Congratulations. I missed you so much.”

“Your earrings are very pretty, aren’t they?”

“Yes. They are dazzlingly beautiful on you.”

Philia smiled sadly at Jin’s muttering. She didn’t know the reason, but there must be a situation that forced Jin to be like this. Romandro gave chairs to the neighborhood kids as well, and announced the start of the engagement ceremony.

Swoosh.

Jin sat next to Ian. The child pressed his mask down even further and looked straight ahead. As if he was saying that he didn’t know Ian and that he was a child who had come here for the first time.

Ian only lightly touched his arm.